[Kairos]

Originally Posted by ibecker

Hi, folks. I'm a fan of GURPS, and with some free time coming up, I was going to offer to assist with adding GURPS to Hero Lab. Before I did that, I wanted to check with SJGames that it would be OK with them (since there's no equivalent to the OGL for GURPS).

Their response was that this is definitely *not* allowed, per their Online Policy. In fact, they went so far as to say that, since they sell their own Character Generator, they would consider a competing program (including GURPS for Hero Lab) to be "piracy". The person I communicated with was very nice about it, but very clear: SJGames does not like the idea of a community addition to Hero Lab for GURPS.

I'm not a lawyer, so I can't comment on whether their legal argument would stand up, but I wanted to warn you all. I believe that people here have good intentions, and just want to help their fellow gamers and promote their favorite games. I'd hate to see people here get into trouble because the publishers take a different view.

Fair enough. Removed. I thought the GURPS LITE data files fell squarely under the following section of their online policy, but if they say it doesn't, then it doesn't:

Create a character generator or other game aid?

If you mean a "game aid" or "player aid" program, yes, you certainly can, if it's for a PC-type computer and you include the appropriate notices. We currently do not allow "apps" for mobile devices to be created using our content or trademarks. Yes, this seems like an arbitrary distinction, and as we learn more and the legal and technical issues become more clear, we may be able to change this, but please don't write us saying "I want to write an app, so change your policy," because the decision is not related to the number of pleas we get from would-be app coders. Sorry.

We want to ENCOURAGE our fans to create these programs, share them with the community, and have fun doing it. If you want to charge money for a game aid based on our work, the Online Policy does NOT apply . . . you must either get a license from us, or sell us the game aid for distribution as a regular product, and either way we'll hold you to professional standards. Email licensing@sjgames.com with a formal proposal letter.

We do, however, have some advice for creators of game aid programs. First, provide documentation. Some simple instructions on how to use the most basic features will be a big help to users. Second, support your creation.